Takhona Grace Hlatshwako – Finding a Voice in Public Health Research

Welcome to Shasha Pathways Season 2, the series where we move beyond job titles to explore how people build careers, develop their skills and make decisions along the way. In this Health and Welfare episode, we speak with Takhona Grace Hlatshwako, a public health researcher and PhD student in Health Policy and Management. Takhona’s journey began in Eswatini and developed through international education, mentorship and early research opportunities that helped her discover where her interests could contribute within public health. In this conversation, we explore how she found her way into research, the uncertainty of finding your professional place, and why she believes there is room for different people and perspectives within the field. Takhona also reflects on belonging, how moving through different countries and institutions taught her to stop relying entirely on external acceptance and begin cultivating a sense of belonging from within.